Like it or not, your face ages with you as you age. You can’t remain 27 forever. While we can’t stop time, there are plenty of options when it comes to keeping a youthful face in your elder years.
When most people think of these plastic surgery procedures, they immediately think of facelifts. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgery, about 230,000 facelift surgeries are performed in the United States every year. This procedure is also one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures.
These facelifts available include surgical procedures that weaken the muscles in the face and nonsurgical procedures that improve the appearance by tightening the soft tissue around the facial muscles and skin.
Whether you choose to get a facelift with surgery or not is up to you. If you aren’t sure of any surgery, you’ll want to read about some of them both; nonsurgical facelifts vs surgical.
Non-Surgical Facelifts
One of the fastest and most affordable ways to get a facelift is to employ a few nonsurgical shortcuts. You’re not going to believe the difference that a little bit of makeup and your favorite hairstyle can make.
Sure, we all want to spend a little bit of time and money to achieve the best possible results, but sometimes it’s good enough to look like you’ve never spent a day in your life without any concern for what you look like.
A nonsurgical facelift can be an effective way to smooth out wrinkles and create the illusion of tighter skin without the cost and invasiveness of surgery. Some include dermal fillers, Botox, thread lifting with PDO threads, intense pulsed light, laser treatments, chemical peels, and ultrasound. These treatments are not painful as they are either wholly noninvasive or are less invasive. They help with a neck lift, brow lift, tummy tuck, skin tightening, laser hair removal, etc.
So, keep reading for more pros and why you should opt for them.
Pros of nonsurgical facelifts
Have you been frustrated by the lack of results from your facelifts after sun exposure to get a toned and firm look? Tired of waking up with a face caked in makeup so that it doesn’t look shallow? Well, it’s time to give nonsurgical facelifts another shot.
Natural Youthful Appearance
There are a lot of benefits to nonsurgical facelifts. One of the best things is not going under the knife, hence a more natural rejuvenated look. If you are not ready to go under the knife yet, this is a good option.
It has many of the same benefits as surgery but without the risk. A small incision is used to change, but the skin will look the same as before the surgery. The skin is only lifted using threads, plumped by fillers, and all the methods stimulate collagen production and hyaluronic acid, resulting in natural younger skin.
As a result, they significantly reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines, volume loss, acne scars, skin laxity, nasolabial folds, sunken cheeks, double chin, among other signs.
Affordable
Surgical cosmetic procedures are expensive. You’ll have to spend more dollars, unlike nonsurgical procedures that are cheap. Even though you’ll require several treatments, you won’t have to pay as much as an invasive procedure will need.
Minimal downtime
A non-surgical facelift, just like other less invasive procedures, has minimal downtime. Because no incisions are involved, you’ll experience less pain and discomfort yet with the desired results. It’s very gentle and won’t require any incisions or stitches.
Fewer risks and complications
Because no anesthesia or in some cases, local anesthesia is used, it’s rare to have complications. In fact, you can resume your routine almost immediately. The few risks may be swelling and bruising that resolve within no time.
Cons of a nonsurgical facelift
Results are less dramatic and not permanent.
They don’t typically last that long, and they can cause unwanted side effects such as unevenness in the skin though rare, and when done by a non-experienced doctor. Besides, facial results are not as perfect as a surgical facelift. Therefore, you’ll have to go for monthly appointments to maintain the best results.
So, if you’re not sure what kind of procedure to get, consult with a dermatologist and get a second opinion before you decide.
Surgical Facelifts
The best treatment for saggy skin and flabby muscles is surgery. This can be done in many different ways, but the most popular is the surgical facelift. It’s a great in-between solution if you don’t want to take the time to learn about nonsurgical facelift techniques like eating collagen-rich foods like fish.
Plastic surgeons usually use facelifts to remove loose skin and fatty deposits. It improves the patient’s appearance and eliminates wrinkles and signs of aging. Surgery can be used to:
- Increase the size and shape of the mouth
- Build up the cheek and jawbones
- Decrease the depth and width of the smile
- Improve the chin position
- Improve the prominence of the eyes
- Adjust the ear placement through ear surgery.
- Implant removal and dark circles.
The surgical facelift is the most popular technique doctors use. It’s not always the appropriate solution for everyone, though, depending on the individual. If you’re thinking about surgery, make sure you do your research.
Pros of surgical facelifts
Surgical facelifts are considered by many to be a form of plastic surgery. In this service, a doctor uses a scalpel or laser to repair the skin on your face and make the cut-offs to cover the wrinkles and lines around your eyes, cheeks, lips, and nose.
You might be thinking of getting this surgery done but don’t know if you should go under the knife. Surgical facelifts can have side effects and be painful. Here’re some of the pros that contributed to my decision to get one. Surgical facelifts offer a myriad of benefits over nonsurgical options. Here are five of them. Have a look!
Results last long
The excellent news with surgical facial surgery is that the effects tend to last longer than the former nonsurgical option. The impact may last about ten years.
Increasingly affordable
Surgical facelift rejuvenation is a high-maintenance investment, but if carried out effectively, it can save you hundreds of dollars over the years by keeping you looking young and beautiful.
Skin facial tightening
Traditional surgical facelift uplifts the loose, saggy skin of your aged face. The plastic surgeon tightens the underneath skin structure into a pleasing contour during the surgical process. As a result, little tension on the skin makes the outcome long-lasting.
Repair loose skin
As the doctor pulls and tightens the skin during surgery, the loose skin becomes firm, resulting in a more youthful look. Although the skin can be pulled too tight, which might result in complications so ensure you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon to have the best experience.
Enhanced facial contours
A facelift improves your facial contours by losing sagging skin and tightening the muscles.
Cons of surgical facelifts
Surgical facelifts are effective and can save you time (if it’s in your budget). While non-surgical facelifts are noninvasive, meaning cuts and incisions are not involved, surgical facelifts are.
Though they also allow you to choose what benefits you want, like with anything, some cons can be seen below.
You may experience bleeding, anesthesia risks, and cardiac complications during surgery.
And after the process, some people complain of infection, nerve injuries, slow wound healing, extensive swelling and bruising, continuous pain, accumulation of fluid, irregular skin, and discoloration.
Recovery time
A surgical facelift — also known as a rhytidectomy, rhytidoplasty, or facelift surgery — can help improve your appearance and boost self-confidence. But it’s not a walk in the park by any means. Surgical facelifts often require general anesthesia, which can cause side effects and even risks of a hospital stay after the surgery. Unlike the noninvasive facelift option, they need two to three weeks to recover.
Risks
Surgical facelifts can have side effects and be painful, hence risky. But if you’re in the hands of a good surgeon, most of the risks can be evaded.
Aftercare
After the surgery, you need some days of follow-up appointments for the best outcome. You also need to follow through with some aftercare rules for proper healing.
Cost
Remember that surgical facelifts can cost over $10,000 and must be paid out of pocket unless your health insurance covers it. Generally, they are more costly than having a nonsurgical facelift though their prices reduce over time.
Conclusion
To sum it up, what’s best for you depends on your personal aesthetic goals and budget. You can’t get your age back, but you can enhance the look of your face with surgery or non-invasive processes. Facelifts are extremely common today and are among the most common surgeries done.
Facial lifts can be performed under local anesthesia in the office with little downtime and a shallow risk of complications. Alternatively, facial lifts can be done in an operating room under general anesthesia with the possibility of more downtime and surgical complications. Hopefully, this information will help you feel more confident and secure when deciding between surgery and nonsurgical facelifts.